Leafs on the Rock Report

By Kevin Kelly

February 6th, 2003

New Faces in Leafs lineup?;Centomo plays firstgame in Greensboro

The St. John’s Maple Leafs may have some new localfaces in their lineup when they take on the AlbanyRiver Rats in a series extremely important to theLeafs Calder Cup Playoff hopes. Albany (15-25-7-5) iscurrently two points ahead of St. John’s (17-29-5-1)who sit eight points out of the last playoff spot(currently held by Springfield.) Two teams, Saint Johnand Albany are ahead of the Leafs.

Local Forward Mark Chaplin, who plays with theFlatrock Flyers of the Avalon East Senior League, andwho used to play for Lou Crawford during hisBelleville Bulls coaching days, may suit up as anemergency replacement for the team. Meanwhile, MikaelTellqvist will play both games in goal, so instead ofrecalling Sebastien Centomo, Mike Minard or JF Racinefor a short period, it looks like the Leafs may gowith Flatrock goalie Mark Abbott who has skated as abackup before.

Meanwhile, Centomo played his first game withGreensboro making 36 saves, but earned a shootoutloss. Centomo is backing up former NHLer DanielBerthiaume (who must be like 60 now, isn’t he?)inGreensboro who has shone with 20 wins, 9 losses, and 3shootout losses with a 2.77 GAA in 34 GP. Who says youcan’t teach an old Daniel new tricks?

After the Leafs series against Albany, the Leafs takeon Saint John Tuesday and Wednesday. The Leafs hope towin all of them if they want to keep their Calder Cuphopes alive.

LEAFS NOTES

Jamie Hodson was in goal for Team Canada in a 4-1 lossto Russia at the Sweden Games. He’s expected back withthe team on Sunday.

Leafs coach Lou Crawford was interviewed on RogersTelevision’s local entertainment program, Out of TheFog last night. The female interviewer, who had littleif any knowledge of the team, mentioned AndersEriksson as the Leafs “top prospect”. She did,however, ask about All-Star Brad Boyes, who Crawfordcalled ” a player who sees the ice well” and who hasbenefited from the players he has played with.Crawford also emphasized during the interview the needfor fans (who he called passionate) to remain positiveabout the team and also mentioned the nurturing rolethe coaches and staff of the Leafs have for theplayers who play here.

The Leafs still lead the league in goals against with189 but they’ve played 52 games, which is more thanmost other teams in the AHL.

Local native John Slaney, who plays with thePhiladelphia Phantoms, now holds the record for careerpoints in AHL All Star points with 8. Congratulations,John! Meanwhile, how many times more can peopleconfuse the Saint John Flames and the St. John’s MapleLeafs? During the All-Star broadcast, Brad Boyes (whogot a couple of assists in the game)was mentioned as amember of “the St. John’s Flames”. It makes me wonderwhy we don’t just call the Leafs the Newfoundland MapleLeafs.